Morphological
changes of the articular surfaces of the innominate provides an excellent
postcranial age indicators for adult remains. Variation in the face
of the pubic symphysis, the anterior-most point of articulation between
the two innominates in the pelvic girdle, is a common region analyzed for
age determination. Todd (1920) outlined a 10-stage method for assessing
this surface, based on a large sample of male innominates. Changes
in the symphyseal surface over time proceed in a predictable pattern from
a heavily contoured face, to one delimited by a rim in the mid 30s, to
a surface marked by increasing porosity after 40 years. Analysis
by Meindl and coworkers (1985) has shown the Todd method to be the most
accurate of the pubic symphyseal methods available. It should be
noted however, that a tendency to over-age individuals has been found after
age 40 by some (BROOKS, 1955), while others claim under-aging of the 45+
year old individuals is problematic (Aiello and Molleson, 1993).

Below are the methods of Todd (1920) and
Suchey/Brooks (in Brooks and Suchey, 1990). The diagrams of each
method were adapted from Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994), the descriptions
associated with each drawing taken from the original publications.

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TODD METHOD:Phase
1:Symphyseal face rugged,
traversed by horizontal ridges separated by well-marked grooves, there
being no distinction in size between the upper and lower ridges.
None of the following structures are present: nodules fusing with the surface,
a delimiting margin, or definition of extremities. (Age, 18-19)

Phase 5: Little
change in symphyseal face and dorsal platform. Margin more clearly
defined and more sharply lipped. Lower extremity better defined.
Upper extremity forming with or without the intervention of a bony nodule.
(Age, 27-30)

Phase 6:Increasing
definition of extremities. Development and practical completion of
ventral rampart. Retention of some granular appearance of symphyseal
face indicating that activity has not yet ceased. Failure of ventral
aspect of pubis adjacent to ventral rampart to become transformed into
a compact surface. The rampart may therefore be somewhat undermined.
Retention of the pectinate outline of the dorsal margin and slight ridge
and furrow system. No lipping of ventral margin and no increased
lipping of dorsal margin. (Age, 30-35)

Phase 7:Face
and ventral aspect change from granular to fine-grained or dense bone.
Slight changes in symphyseal face and marked changes in ventral aspect
from diminishing activity. No formation of symphyseal rim.
No ossification of tendinous and ligamentous attachments. (Age, 35-39)

Phase 10:Ventral
margin eroded at a greater or lesser extent of its length, continuing somewhat
onto the symphyseal face. Rarefaction of face and irregular ossification.
Disfigurement increases with age.

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SUCHEY/BROOKS
METHOD (female):Phase
1:Symphyseal
face has a billowing surface composed of ridges and furrw which includes
the pubic tubercle. The horizontal ridges are well-marked.
Ventral beveling may be commening. Although ossific nodules may ocur
on the uper extremity, a key featuer of this phase is the lack f delimitation
for either extremity (upper or lower).

Phase 2:Symphyseal
face may still shw ridge development. Lower an dupper extremities
show early stages of delimitation, with or witout ossific nodules.
Ventral rampart may begin formation as extension from either or both extremities.

Phase 3:Symphyseal
face shows lower extremity and ventral rampart in process of completion.
Fusing ossific nodules may form upper extremity and extend along ventral
border. Symphyseal face may either be smooth or retain distinct ridges.
Dorsal plateau is complete. No lipping of symphyseal dorsal margin
or bony ligamentous outgrowths.

SUCHEY/BROOKS
METHOD (male):Phase
4: Symphyseal face
is generally fine-grained, although remnants of ridge and furrow system
may remain. Oval outline usually complete at this stage, though a
hiatus may occur in upper aspect of ventral circumference. Pubic
tubercle is fully separated from the symphyseal face through definintion
of upper extremity. Symphyseal face may have a distinct rim.
Ventrally, bony ligamentous outgrowths may occur in inferior portion of
pubic bone adjacent to symphyseal face. Slight lipping may appear
on dorsal border.

Phase 5:Slight
depression of the face relative to a completed rim. Moderate lipping
is usually found on the dorsal border with prominent ligamentious outgrowths
on the ventral border. Little or no rim erosion, though breakdown
possible on superior aspect of ventral border.

Phase 6:Symphyseal
face shows ongoing depression as rim erodes. Ventral ligamentous
attachments are marked. Pubic tubercle may appear as a separate bony
knob. Face may be pitted or porous, giving an appearance of disfigurement
as the ongoing proecss of erratic ossificaiton procededs. Crenelations
may occur, with the shape of the face often irregular.